-7- 



Mouse Control Now or Girdled Trees Next Spring; . The stage is apparently set 

 for plenty of mouse injury in Massachusetts orchards this v/inter. There is an 

 unusually heavy infestation of meadow mice, and in many orchards, trunk and 

 root conditions are highly favorable for mouse activity. Tilted trees afford 

 a natural home for mice around the loosened trunk and roots. Numerous cases of 

 girdling have already been reported. This is the ideal time for exposing 

 poisoned bait in the "runs" thereby insuring against ruined trees at very small 

 cost . Growers who have not yet obtained, a supply of the new bait prepared by 

 the Biological Survey should contact their county agricultural agbnt -t once or 

 communicate directly with W. W. Dykstra, 410 Federal Building, Worcester, Maas. 



T rapping Rats and Mice . Timely suggestions on the placing and baiting of traps 

 for rats and mice are contained in a leaflet recently prepared by W.VJ. Dykstra 

 410 Federal Building, Worcester. A copy may be obtained on request. Baited 

 traps are more effective for mice than rats although thvs latt^^r may often be 

 caught by properly placing an unbaited trap as outlined in thu abovo leaflet. 



Mass. Farmers Using More Lime. A survey of soil conservation pri-cticos xn 1937 ,_^ 

 on 250 Massachusetts farms (about 3/,> of the total linrolled), made by S.Ii*. Parker, 

 '^ showaan increase of 49^ in the amount of lime used us compared with the previous 

 3 years' average. The use of superphosphate showed an increase of ^Q/i and of 

 potash, 36/i. Acres of cover crops increased 72^. The adoption of these various 

 practices together on any farm suggest the truth of tho old Flemish rhyme* 

 "Lime and lime without manure. Make both farm and farmer poor, But lirae, manure, 

 and vigorous clover, Make the old farm smile all over." 



There' re Vi/orking On It. U. of S. Cal. workers find that certain chemicals in 

 onions and garlic which bring tears to the eyes have germ killing powers which 

 may be useful in fighting disease. And now comes word from iinglund that the 

 cow may be "short circuited," as research workers perfect a new method of making 

 cheese directly from grass. 



